Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-11


weakened little fellow who works as
Waterman in the house. Ho wore G
cheap overcoat that would have been too
small for the average twelve-year-old
boy.
"What will you take for the use of
that coat for one hour 2" asked the
senator.
The little fellow looked astonished,
but concluded that it would be worth
dollar. His coat was worth no more
than double that sum. The senator
slyly hung the little coat in tho place
where the big agents coat had been.
When they had finished luncheon each
put on his coat The agent reached for
his in an absent-minded manner. When
the waiter, who had been let into the
secret, attempted TO help him on with
the threadbace garment and he dis
covered the sell, he lost his temper for
a moment. Then the owner of the coat
walked in and solemnly bore it away.
Everybody laughed and the agent con-
Guided it was well to do the same and
turn the joke off with bottle Of wine.
After plaguing him an hour tho senator
returned his coat and the rounder and
his companion left. By this time it was
after midnight.
The rouuder ordered cabman to drive
him and his companion to the latter's
lodgings The cabman was a sturdy
Irishman. When his passengers had
disembarked the literary man recognized
him as an old acquaintance.
do you know" asked the literary
man, "that your brother is dead ?"
They were in a saloon at the time, and
the cabman was about to take q drink at
his passengers expense. He set down
his drink untasted, turned white, and
said "Great heavens is that so 2"
The brothers had been enemies and
had not spoken for years. The cabman
hesitated q moment, and then dashed
out of the saloon. He did not stop until
he reached the house where his brother
lay dead. Watchers were beside the
coffin in the dimly-lighted chamber OF
death. The cabman, paying no heed to
them, pushed his way to the coffin where
lay his brother. Death had swept away
the anlmosities of years. He bent over
the dead man, strOked his icy forehead,
and then, with a cry of anguish, bent
over and kissed the face OF the corpse.
1t was a CHASTITY scene. The watchers,
not knowing who be was, strove TO re-
move him, but he pushed them aside.
The widow and her children, attracted
by the noise, came in and eyed him
coldly.
The rounder and his companion who
stood with uncovered heads in the room
went out. Ten minutes later the cab
man, his honest face stained with tears,
emerged, mounted his vehicle, and rode
away into the night.
This is a great town." said the lite
rary man.
eyes, let's have another bottle" ex-
claimed the rounder.
They had it, and as the clock in
neighboring steeple was Ginning 3 they
separated to retire. They had seen little,
if any, more in variety than the average
man about town beholds of night.
THE WEEK IN NEW YORK SOCIETY.
We have had very busy week socially
when We consider how near to the great
est festival of the year we are. One can
see more of society people pleasant
forenoon at our leading jewellers than at
all the receptions of a week. Mrs. Pa
ran Stevens, in spite of her strict attend
ance in court, found time to do con-
siderable Christmas shopping. l saw
her carriage and that of the Goelets and
Mrs. Marshall o. Roberts draw up in
line before leading store, all waiting
for their mistresses. The coachmen
seemed to be very friendly and chatted
away, no doubt discussing their en-
ployers. Those same aristocratic Jehus
have grade in society, and, | am given
to understand, draw the line (not the
/ lines) at coachmen whose employers do
not own houses at Newport. They dis
cuss the past summer and the coming
festivities of the winter quite as much ne
their nistreSses, and one coachman shows
surprise as he learns his companions
mistress failed to receive cards for the
last exclusive entertainment.
On Friday Mrs. Charles II. 7. Coils,
wife Of General Coils, opened her new
home on Fifth avenue to her many
friends. She will receive every Friday
during the month of December. The
house is Just about Eighty-sixth street,
and has a delightful view of Central
Park. The drawing-room is very beauti-
full, in white and gold, and has no chan
delier the light being supplied by gas
brackets along the side IN the form OF
candles. The walls are of an old pink
shade, and the prevailing tone is very
light. A heavy velvet carpet covers the
floor. The middle parlor has inlaid
wood floor, with rugs. Then comes
the library, magnificent apartment, the
walls of which are covered with Gooolin
tapestry, which represent the siege OF
Troy. The furniture is also covered with
old tapestry. Beyond is the dining-room.
with magnificent mahogany sideboard
built in the wall, the top of which
reaches the ceiling it divides in the
centre. leaving space for stained glass
window. Mrs. Coils is a rare entertainer,
and an unusually bountiful table was laid
in this room. All kinds of rare, stuffed
and dried fruits, pastes, and gastronomlc
novelties were served, as many wines and
liquors.
FINE GLASS.
Mrs. Coils has a passion for fine
glass and china, and has one OF the
finest collections in the city. Her dis
play of cut-glass made the room gllsten
as with diamonds. Her collection OF
Sevres and Dresden is 50 beautiful II
seems almost sacrilege to use them.
The dining room is lighted by silver
chandelier, very unique and magnificent;
The rooms upstairs are spacious and
luxurious. Mrs. Collis's 6oudOir is fitted
with desk, easy-chair, and couches'
This is where she passes most OF hei
days. There are three beautiful por-
traits OF the hostess in the house. Mrs.
Coils is one of New York's most re-
markable women; she IS far from but
terfy of fashion, in spite of the fact that
she entertains so deliberately and her
costumes and jewels are so beautiful
Not only is she fine Gnguist, but fos-
sesses some rare accomplishments, such
as playing the either A fad OF hers
few years ago was to learn telegraphy'
and more than one poor boy has been
taught by her. This is one other forms
of charity. Her list of visitors embraces
most of the leading people of the city.